What Is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
The brain harm induced by violently shaking a baby is known as shaken infant syndrome. This condition is also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, and whiplash shake syndrome. Shaken infant syndrome is a type of child abuse that results in significant brain damage. It can occur as a result of as little as five seconds of shaking. Babies’ brains are soft, and their neck muscles are weak. They have delicate blood vessels as well. Shaking a baby or young child can cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull repeatedly. This impact has the potential to cause brain bruising, bleeding, and swelling. Broken bones, as well as damage to the baby’s eyes, spine, and neck, are possible injuries.
Shaken baby syndrome is more common in children under the age of two, but it can affect children as young as five. The majority of cases of shaken baby syndrome occur in infants aged 6 to 8 weeks, which is when babies cry the most.
Causes of Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken baby syndrome occurs when a baby or toddler is violently shaken. People may shake an infant out of frustration or anger, especially if the child refuses to stop crying. Although shaking eventually stops the baby from crying, it is usually because the shaking has caused brain damage.
Babies’ neck muscles are weak, and they frequently have difficulty supporting their heads. When an infant’s head is violently shaken, it moves uncontrollably. The baby’s brain is repeatedly thrown against the inside of the skull, causing bruising, swelling, and bleeding.
Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome
The following are some of the symptoms of shaken baby syndrome:
- difficulty staying awake
- tremors in the body
- difficulty breathing
- poor eating
- seizures
- coma
- vomiting
- discolored skin
- paralysis
There may be no visible signs of physical injury to the child’s outer body, however, the face is sometimes bruised. Bleeding in the brain and eyes, spinal cord damage, and fractures of the ribs, skull, legs, and other bones are examples of non-visible injuries. Many children suffering from shaken baby syndrome exhibit symptoms of prior child abuse. In mild cases of shaken baby syndrome, a child may appear fine after being shaken, but they are most likely develop health or behavioral difficulties over time.
Risk Factors of Shaken Baby Syndrome
The following factors may increase the likelihood of parents or caregivers shaking a baby violently, resulting in shaken baby syndrome:
- Baby’s unrealistic expectations
- Parenthood as a young or single parent
- Stress
- Domestic abuse
- Abuse of alcohol or other substances
- Uncertain family situations
- Depression
- A history of child maltreatment
How to Diagnose Shaken Baby Syndrome
The doctor will look for the three conditions that frequently indicate shaken baby syndrome to make a diagnosis. They are as follows:
- encephalopathy, or brain swelling
- subdural hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain
- retinal hemorrhage, or bleeding in the retina of the eye
A battery of tests will be ordered by the doctor to look for signs of brain damage and to help confirm the diagnosis. These tests may include the following:
MRI scan, which produces detailed images of the brain by using powerful magnets and radio waves.
Ophthalmic exam, which looks for eye injuries and bleeding.
CT scan, which produces clear cross-sectional images of the brain; skeletal X-ray, which reveals fractures of the spine, ribs, and skull
Complications of Shaking a Baby
Shaking, with or without a sudden deceleration of the head when it collides with a surface, can result in the following:
Subdural Hematoma
This is a collection of blood between the surface of the brain and the dura (the tough, fibrous outer membrane surrounding the brain). When the veins connecting the brain to the dura are stretched beyond their suppleness, rupture and hemorrhage ensue.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
A type of bleeding that occurs between the arachnoid (the web-like membrane that surrounds the brain and is filled with spinal fluid) and the brain.
When the brain strikes the inner surfaces of the skull, it causes direct trauma to the brain substance itself.
It can also lead to these:
- Retinal hemorrhages ranging from a few scattered hemorrhages to extensive hemorrhages involving multiple retinal layers.
- Impact fractures of the baby’s skull caused by being thrown against a hard or soft surface.
- Fractures to other bones, including the ribs, collarbone, and limbs; facial, head, and body bruising
How to Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken baby syndrome is entirely avoidable. Taking care of a baby can be difficult, particularly for first-time parents. It is important to remember, however, that shaking, throwing, or hitting a baby is never acceptable. The following suggestions may aid in the prevention of abuse:
- Take deep breaths and count to ten
- Take a break and let the baby cry alone
- Contact a friend or family member for emotional support
- Contact a pediatrician; there could be a medical reason for the baby’s crying
- Never leave a baby in the care of a caregiver, friend, or family member in whom you do not have complete trust
- Before entrusting a baby to a caregiver or daycare center, always thoroughly check references
Also, after being shaken, some babies will stop breathing. If this happens, CPR can keep your baby breathing while you wait for medical help.
Here are some steps to follow:
Place the Baby on their Back with Caution
If you suspect a spinal injury, two people should gently move the baby so that the head and neck do not twist.
Set up your Stance
Place two fingers on the middle of your infant’s breastbone if they are under the age of one. Place one hand on the middle of your child’s breastbone if they are over the age of one. Place your other hand on the baby’s brow to keep the baby’s head tilted back. Pull the jaw forward instead of tilting the head if you suspect a spinal injury, and don’t let the mouth close.
Carry out Chest Compressions
Push down on the breastbone and into the chest about halfway. While counting out loud, perform 30 chest compressions without pausing. Compressions should be firm and quick.
Give the Baby some Rescue Breaths
After the compressions, check for breathing. If there is no sign of breathing, cover the baby’s mouth and nose tightly with your mouth. Make sure the airway is clear and take two deep breaths. To cause the chest to rise, each breath should last about a second.
CPR should be Continued
Continue the 30-compression-and-two-rescue-breath cycle until help arrives. Continue to check for breathing. After being shaken, the baby may vomit in some cases. To avoid choking, roll the baby onto their side. Make certain that they roll their entire body at the same time. If the spine has been injured, this method of rolling reduces the risk of further damage. It is critical that you don’t pick up the baby or give the baby food or water.
There is no treatment for shaken baby syndrome. In severe cases, surgery may be required to treat brain bleeding. This could include inserting a shunt or thin tube, to relieve pressure or drain excess blood and fluid. Eye surgery may also be required to remove any blood from the eye before it permanently impairs vision.
Now that you Know…
Shaken baby syndrome can be avoided. You can keep your baby safe by not shaking them under any circumstances. When you can’t get your baby to stop crying, it’s easy to become frustrated. Crying is, however, a normal behavior in infants, and shaking is never the appropriate response. When your child cries for long periods of time, it is critical that you find ways to relieve your stress. When you feel yourself losing control, calling a family member or a friend for support can be beneficial. There are also some hospital-based programs that can teach you how to respond when your baby cries, as well as how to manage the stress of parenting. These programs can also assist you in identifying and preventing injuries caused by shaken baby syndrome. It is also important that you educate your family members and caregivers on the dangers of shaken baby syndrome.
